As Myrtle had stepped away, Emma stepped to him from behind her departing form.“Thank you so much for being here Harrison,” she said a bit more seriously than he expected. Her eyes darted left and right to see if anyone was taking notice.

Immediately, Harrison stiffened, his shoulders rising slightly as if he were a turtle trying to withdraw behind a protective shell. Now was the time for thought, and that thought had to come quickly.

She was staring him in the eye, keeping him locked in place. The sensation of entrapment gave way to submission and dread, and he knew disappointing her was not an option.

He drew a deep breath, and let it out slowly so it wouldn’t look like a sigh.

Unblinking, he said “I’d be… honored.” His body stood unmoving and his brain called him twenty kinds of fool. You idiot! Now you have to dance! They’re ALL going to be watching the two of you and you’re going to look like a darn fool!

Bloody hell you imbecile! his mind berated him further. This could be against the rules! And in front of everyone! You’ve done it this time boy. You wanted attention, whoa-oh-oh you got it. This entire congregation is going to beat you about the head and ears until you go deaf and blind! And you’ll deserve it!

Harrison looked around as if to say to the stunned glares “Help! I’m not doing anything wrong! Look, it’s just her!”

To Harrison’s amazement the entire throng of guests was not actually glaring at him. Although one woman with short cropped blonde hair and a purple dress was whispering to her dance partner. As the couple slowly spun about at the edge of Harrison’s version she darted looks at them in a busy-body fashion. Nothing seemed to come from it however.

“We won’t have much time Harrison, take my waist and lets go dance, I have something urgent to tell you,” Emma said in almost a whisper.

Her hands were still clasped behind his back and Harrison noted the smell of cinnamon emanating off of her.